Cooperative Network

10/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1499967731047643

10/04/2026

To kick off October Co-op Month, on Oct. 3 the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua held a Co-op Celebration featuring “meet and greets” with more than a dozen local co-ops and the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives (UWCC), cooking demonstrations hosted by Cooperative Network member Organic Valley, live music, food, and door prizes. The library, which is hosting numerous cooperative-related presentations and discussions throughout October, also unveiled its new collection of cooperative resources. Viroqua and the Driftless Region are well-known as a hot spot of cooperative activity and development.
(Rick Hummell photos)

10/02/2026

Governor Tim Walz proclaimed October Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Minnesota, encouraging every Minnesotan to learn about cybersecurity and apply best practices at home, work, school, and in our communities. Watch for weekly tips to develop strong cyber habits. Learn more: https://mn.pulse.ly/bgr15lgqou

10/01/2026

Celebrated by cooperatives nationwide during the month of October, National Cooperative Month is an annual opportunity to raise awareness of a trusted, proven way to do business and build resilient, inclusive communities.
Cooperatives around the world operate according to the Seven Cooperative Principles: Voluntary and Open Membership; Democratic Member Control; Member Economic Participation; Autonomy and Independence; Education, Training and Information; Cooperation Among Cooperatives; and Concern for Community.
Cooperative Network is a trade association representing cooperatives in Wisconsin and Minnesota, which together have the highest concentration of cooperatives in the U.S. Learn more about Cooperative Network: https://cooperativenetwork.coop/

09/20/2026

https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/2026/09/19/farm-safety-week-to-highlight-physical-and-mental-health/

National Farm Safety and Health Week begins September 21, and reminds agricultural workers to prioritize safety, wellness, and support.

09/18/2026

The childcare crisis is straining rural communities — creating business disruptions, reducing access to affordable quality care, and causing burnout for childcare workers. Join the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives and Cooperative Development Services for a webinar on the childcare crisis. Drawing on eight months of firsthand research, this presentation will share ways rural communities and employers have addressed childcare gaps through collaboration, advocacy, and the cooperative model.

These webinars are free and open to all:
Cooperative Childcare Solutions – Iowa
Thursday, October 15, 12-1 pm CT

Cooperative Childcare Solutions – Minnesota
Thursday, October 22, 12-1 pm CT

Cooperative Childcare Solutions – Wisconsin
Thursday, October 29, 12-1 pm CT

While each webinar is state-specific, key takeaways are consistent across the Upper Midwest.

Register: https://uwcc.wisc.edu/cooperative-childcare-solutions-webinars/

09/18/2026

Board nomination deadline extended!

Cooperative Network is seeking nominations until Friday, October 2, 2026 for four board of director seats to be elected at Cooperative Network’s annual meeting in December, 2026.

With the exception of Friend of Cooperatives (aka Associate) members, current staff and members of Cooperative Network members in good standing are eligible for nomination.

As representatives of cooperative members throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, Cooperative Network’s board of directors helps guide future activities and priorities of the organization.

Nonination form: https://lnkd.in/g56QJ2Yb

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

The National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA) will begin operating as “U.S. Co-ops” in mid-September 2026, adopting a […]

09/15/2026